Shine a light on mental health at our Blue Tree Project event at Waurn Ponds
As we reflect on another R U OK? Day – during which we were reminded it’s important to check in with others around us Any Day – we encourage you to continually spark important conversations with those around you about how they may be feeling.
We also hope to get everyone talking about the Blue Tree Project, a charity aimed at increasing awareness and tackling the stigma surrounding mental health issues. This initiative was founded by the best friend of Jayden Whyte, who died in 2018 at the age of 29. The project’s blue tree symbolism originated directly from Jayden who, back in 2014, secretly painted a tree with bright blue paint in the middle of the night on his family’s Mukinbudin farm to surprise his dad, a story recounted at Jayden’s funeral as a tribute to his playful spirit.
To the amazement of Jayden’s family and friends, blue trees have now cropped up all over the globe as visual reminders that we are not alone in our struggles, and that we all need to reach out to those around us and start important conversations about mental health.
Join us in Geelong as we get painting!
We encourage all students and staff to join us at the Waurn Ponds Campus for a Deakin-led community event on Tuesday 1 October in honour of this incredible cause. All are welcome, so bring family and friends as we reflect on the meaning behind the Blue Tree Project, hear from student Wellbeing Ambassadors, and paint three trees bright blue.
Blue Tree Project at Deakin Waurn Ponds
Tuesday 1 October 2024, 11am–2pm
Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong
Register now
Light refreshments and morning tea will be provided, and support services will be present if you need advice.
This project is funded by Bendigo Community Bank at Deakin University and the generous donation of Blue Tree Solagard paint from Wattyl.
Hope to see you there!